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Weekly Columns and Op-Eds

If you have ever visited Washington, D.C., or even looked into planning a trip to the nation's capital, you know there are quite a few sights to see. Washington, D.C. is a hub for both American history and cultural exploration, from the U.S. Capitol building and the Library of Congress, the world's largest library, to memorials to great presidents and soldiers who fought in past wars.


The men and women of our military fight tirelessly to protect and defend our country, and as a Congress, we have a responsibility to provide for them. To do so, each year, the U.S. House of Representatives passes the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), providing authorization of critical programs for our nation's military.


As I have said in the past and will continue to vocalize in our nation's capital: Hydropower is truly the lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest. From the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest power producing hydroelectric dam in North America, to the dams along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, Central Washington has come to rely on the clean, affordable, and reliable power these dams produce.


At its founding, the United States of America was the first-of-its-kind: an experimental government based on the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Gaining our independence from Britain was, in a way, a changing of the tides – for those who declared themselves Americans, our future generations, and everyone in between.


Our largely rural, agricultural district understands the importance of conservation firsthand. The public lands we enjoy in Central Washington depend on local environmental stewardship, maintenance, and upkeep.

Issues:Public Lands

Here in Central Washington, we have recently seen displays of citizens practicing their constitutional right to peacefully protest in nearly all of our communities. I wholeheartedly condemn the acts of violence we have witnessed in other cities across the United States, but I am proud to represent our district, where peaceful voices are being met with listening ears and open hearts.


There is no doubt that our country is facing difficult times, but if our history indicates anything, I am confident the American people will persevere. It can be hard to see, however – especially in the rural communities of Central Washington – that there is light at the end of the tunnel.


The First Amendment and the right to peacefully protest is a bedrock of our nation's founding. Empowering our neighbors to speak up for what is right, take action when injustice rears its ugly head in our communities, and create a society where we can live equally and peacefully is a goal we must all strive for.


Throughout this pandemic, I have been hosting phone calls and video conferences to keep in touch with constituents. In my conversations across our district, I have asked numerous small business owners and individuals who have lost their jobs: How can we help? The resounding answer: Let us reopen.